Painting - fields, fence and frost... North Nottinghamshire

"Between Two Fields", Pinxton, Derbyshire.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

This location near Pinxton, Derbyshire is a usual 'stop and have a look' for me. While looking very rural, the roar of the traffic on the M1 motorway, which passes just behind the middle distant hill, is a constant distraction.

It was late afternoon, a lovely winter sunlight and some distant cloud along with the remaining frost clinging on in the shadows cast by the hedge. And it was this that attracted me on this day, the contrast between the warm and cool areas either side of the wooden fence, which has, over the years of visiting, slowly fallen apart.

Paintings - boats, harbours etc - Norfolk

"Wallowing in the Mud", Thornham, North Norfolk.
Oil. Alistair Butt © 2008.

Low tide on a wonderful bright but hazy afternoon at Thornham on the North Norfolk coast. The boat numbers vary at Thornham, both due to the season and the fishing trips that depart from here. Like anywhere along the Norfolk coast the tides rule, coming in and going out very fast - a falling tide allows more drawing/painting time and can provide more visual interest (e.g. reflections, reflected light) in the mud/sand due it being still wet.